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What Are The Features of the 1977 Ford F 250?
During the late seventies, FMC was under the gun to convince the American public that light-duty trucks were still viable. The days of the oil embargo (‘73) were fading in the minds of Americans, who sought pickups to use as daily drivers as both a work and a recreational vehicle. It was in 1977 that Ford’s mantra of “Built Ford Tough” began (a slogan they still use today).
Engine
The 1977 Ford F 250 came with a standard 4.9L 300 cubic-inch inline-6 cylinder, though there were three V8 options available (351 cubic-inch V8, 400 cubic-inch V8, and 460 cu in V8). The 351 replaced the 360, and the 400 replaced the 390.
The inline six-cylinder engine had stood the test of time (since 1960). Still, its lack of real power was a constant complaint of truck owners everywhere. The 360 V8 had been used since 1968 until its retirement in 1976.
Most customers sought out the high-powered V8s for their trucks, with over 60% of the trucks sold carrying the 3-speed automatic often paired with the larger engines. While an owner was given the option of a 4-speed manual, there was limited demand for it.
For years the Ford Motor Company had refused to adapt their 4-wheel drive trucks, which caused their 4x4 trucks to sit much taller than the competition. (The term “highboy” gets its name from the higher stance of these 4x4s). But in 1977, Ford began to look at catching up with the competitors by redesigning its 4x4s. The result was that many owners bought the Camper Special packages and began to explore the wilderness with cross-country drives.
Speed Control, Power Steering, and Brakes
A relatively new feature at the time was speed control (cruise control), which helped on long drives. Over 90% of the F 250 came with power steering, and all units were installed with standard power disc brakes. The American public had begun to view the more efficient disc brakes and power steering as essential parts of their trucks.
Appearance
In 1977, the company kept the split front signature grille it had used since 1973. All pickups had recessed square headlights, and the brand lettering was displayed as a pushed-in blackened part of the grille. The front fascia gave the F250 a very proud look.
Regular cab F250s came only with an 8’ long bed in Styleside or Flareside. However, you had the choice of a 6.5’ or 8’ bed with the SuperCab (the shorter bed was the only option for CrewCabs).
Owners could have one of 16 different paint colors on their trucks. Many customers opted to outfit their particular vehicle with a custom two-toned color scheme.
Trim Levels
The 1977 F-series line was offered in three trim levels (Custom, Ranger, Ranger XLT), with a fiberglass box cover over the back of 8-foot Stylesides if owners wanted one. Many opted for the stylish cover and the optional locking toolbox on the side of the truck. Ford had a unique slide-out spare tire, which sat on a mount and was easily stored under the back bumper to keep it out of the way.
There was a Camper Special, which could handle 8’ - 12’ slide-on camper shells. The option was allowed with a V8 engine and the Cruise-O-Matic transmission. The CrewCab Camper was only built with a F-350.
Construction
The truck was built on an independent twin-I-beam suspension underneath, providing a comfortable ride and consistent cornering capabilities. The f-250 truck had heavy-duty rear springs on the back wheels designed for heavier payload capacities. The double-walled construction offered additional strength for the bed.
The frame of the 250 was increased to eight inches deep to allow for the fuel tank to be located within the frame between the two rear wheels. The placement guaranteed additional safety for the long bed by removing the gas tank from behind the cab on early Ford models.
There were non-rusting fender wells (a Ford exclusive) and over 350 sq feet of zinc-covered metals, which also helped prevent corrosion.
Interior
The f 250’s truck interior was a durable cloth bench seat, but vinyl was optional with the heavy-duty vinyl on the XLT. The SuperCab allowed additional passengers to sit in the back, on fold-down jump seats (Camper Package), or owners could opt for a full bench seat with additional storage on the Reg. Cab.
Ford’s Speed Control (cruise control) was an added option that owners could purchase, but not many opted for it. The instrumentation displays were easy to read, and the faux wood trim edging on the dash was reminiscent of the work in many of Ford’s sedans. The air conditioning vents were integrated into the dash, and owners had the choice of a standard AM or optional AM/FM radio, which a lot of them preferred.
